Method and apparatus for separating magnetic and non-magnetic substances

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to novel apparatus for and methods of separating magnetic and non-magnetic materials by conveying the same on a first of two spaced conveyors toward a magnetic separator which draws the magnetic material and deposits the same upon the second conveyor whereas the non-magnetic material drops by gravity in the gap between the conveyors. Any minor amounts of the non-magnetic material deposited upon the second conveyor are removed by a blast of air which directs the latter material toward and into the gap as well as impinges the same upon the periphery of a rotating roller from which such minor amounts of non-magnetic material are deposited into the gap between the conveyors.

United States Patent Smith et al.

[451 Aug. 26, 1975 4] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 3,756,401 9 1973 Rosner 209 39 SEPARATING MAGNETIC AND NON-MAGNETIC SUBSTANCES Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost [75] Inventors: Milboum L. Smith, Glenwood; ag gz Agent or Brown Ramlk &

Joseph Derencius, Chicago; Robert E E. Grisemer, Hinsdale, all of III. [73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, lnc., ABSTRACT N Y k N Y This disclosure relates to novel apparatus for and methods of separating magnetic and non-magnetic [22] Fllfid' materials by conveying the same on a first of two [2]] AppL N 305,488 spaced conveyors toward a magnetic separator which draws the magnetic material and deposits the same upon the second conveyor whereas the non-magnetic [52] U.S. Cl; 209/39, 209/214, 209/223 A material drops by gravity in the gap between the com [5 1] Int. Cl. B03C 1/30 veyorsl Any minor amounts of the nommagnefic mate [58] Fleld of Search 209/39 rial deposited upon the second conveyor are removed 209/223 223 232 by a blast of air which directs the latter material toward and into the gap as well as impinges the same [56] References cued upon the periphery of a rotating roller from which UNITED STATES PATENTS such minor amounts of non-magnetic material are de- 2.428128 9/!947 Keck 209/39 X posited into the gap between the conveyors. 2,979,|97 4/l96l Heam 209 39 I 3,452,864 7/l969 Eckhardt 209/39 32 Claims, 6 Drawmg Figures f r 30 23 2 f 2S 24 2e 3 F 2| 1 t r- ,4 m --r 91 A3 A a {P 5? a m 2 2 m J. (-1 2 f 4 I 40 ml 4,

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SHKU 2 M 4 M6 HH lmlllllllluh Ndnh METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MAGNETIC AND NON-MAGNETIC SUBSTANCES The present invention is directed primarily to the field of solid waste disposal in which there is a growing trend toward the use of refuse shredding, pulverizing or other forms of presizing or prereducing equipment to condition the waste prior to further processing or complete disposal. The objectives of refuse presizing as related to solid waste management are multi-faceted and may include preparing the waste material as suitable feed for use as supplementary fuel, particularly in coalfired boilers; minimizing health and esthetic problems often associated with municipal refuse handling such as blowing paper, odor, fly and rodent propagation, etc.; improving refuse placement and compactability in sanitary land fills; reducing the need for costly daily cover in such land fills; preparing the material as suitable feed for refuse disposal by pyrolysis; fuel bed or vortex incineration; and preparing the material for physical and chemical segregation into useful byproducts, such as chemical fiberv This basic change in municipal solid waste handling practice is occurring as a result of the concentrated na tional effort (beginning in 1965) to improve solid waste management in the United States, reduce environmental problems associated with current operations, and conserve national resources through reclamation and use of waste materials where economically feasible.

Refuse shredding or presizing is a basic step for improving the material handling characteristics of municipal refuse and other solid waste. Shredding converts a difficult and objectionable heterogeneous material into something approaching a semi-fluid of even and small size distribution which is readily transportable and easily handled by automatic machines; smaller material is more readily rendered homogeneous and the material is highly desirable from the standpoint of waste material reclamation and reuse.

In keeping with the foregoing, a primary object of this invention is to provide novel apparatus for and methods of rendering heterogeneous materials homogeneous following a presizing operation, and particu larly doing so by separating ferromagnetic or magnetic materials from non-magnetic material.

In keeping with a further object of this invention, the novel apparatus for achieving magnetic-nonmagnetic separation includes first and second in-line but spaced conveyors. the first of which has a flight carrying presized refuse containing magnetic and non-magnetic components, means are provided for removing the magnetic material and delivering tne same to the second conveyor along with minor amounts of the nonmagnetic material, and second means for removing the minor amounts from the second conveyor, the second removing means being a source of moving air directed above and along the second conveyor in a direction toward the first conveyor whereby the minor amounts of non-magnetic material are blown off the entrance end of the second conveyor.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel apparatus of the type heretofore described wherein the second removing means further includes a rotating roll adjacent the entrance end portion of the Second conveyor having a surface against which will impinge the blown material, and the roll is appropriately rotated to deliver the thus impinged material into the gap between the conveyors.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel apparatus of the type immediately heretofore set forth wherein the roll is spaced above the second conveyor and portions of the blown material pass through the gap or throat between the entrance end of the second conveyor and the roll into the gap.

Though the primary objects of this invention are concerned with the separation of magnetic and nonmagnetic material, a further object is that of providing novel apparatus for and a method of separating heavy and light materials irrespective of their magnetic and- /or nommagnetic characteristics by providing a conveyor having entrance and exit end portions, the conveyor having a flight movable in a first direction from the entrance end portion to the exit end portion, means for depositing heavy and light material upon the flight at the entrance end portion whereby the same will move toward the exit end portion, means for removing the light material from the flight, the removing means including means for directing air above and along the flight in a second direction opposite the first direction whereby the light material will be blown toward the entrance end portion, the removing means further including means at the entrance end portion against which will impinge a portion of the blown light material, and means for moving the last-mentioned means in the second direction whereby the impinged and blown light material will be moved in the second direction and thus separated from the heavy material moved in the first direction by the flight.

Another more specific object of this invention is to provide novel apparatus for and a method of separating light and heavy material in the manner immediately set forth heretofore wherein the last-mentioned means is a rotating roll having surface means possessing an affinity for holding thereupon the blown light material.

In keeping with another object of this invention there is provided a novel method of separating relatively heavy and light materials by depositing the same upon a surface moving in a first direction between first and second positions, directing air above and along the material opposite the first direction whereby the light ma terial will be blown in a second direction, collecting the light material thus blown, and thereafter further conveying the collected light material in the second direction by at least partial rotary motion.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a novel apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention for separating materials, and illustrates first and second conveyors having a gap therebetween spanned by a magnetic separator, means for directing air toward an entrance end portion of the second conveyor, and a rotating roll adjacent the entrance end portion.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1. and illustrates by the headed arrows the manner in which magnetic and nonmagnetic materials are separated, as viewed in the upstream direction of material movement.

FIGv 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIGv l, and illustrates details of the nozzle, a blower, and side skirts of the second conveyor.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of another apparatus, and illustrates details of the magnetic separator.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4, and again illustrates details of another magnetic separator.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, and again illustrates details of another magnetic separator.

Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an apparatus 10 for separating magnetically attractive (ferromagnetic) material from magnetically non'attractive (nonmagnetic) materials includes first means 11 for conveying the materials along a first path from left-toright. The heterogeneous or admixed magnetic and nonmagnetic material is generally designated by the reference numeral M Prior to being deposited upon an upper flight 12 of the conveyor 11 the material M is preferably shredded, presized or otherwise reduced into a relatively small size such as to approach a semi-fluid or light-weight condition which may be readily handled, transported and, of course, processed by the apparatus 10.

Second conveyor means, generally designated by the reference numeral 13 is provided contiguous and inline to the conveyor 11. The second conveyor 13 likewise includes an upper flight 14 which moves material M] from left-to-right. The material M1 is substantially composed of magnetic material although minor amounts of nonmagnetic material may be initially admixed therewith adjacent an entrance end portion 15 of the conveyor 13. For the most part the nonmagnetic material M2 drops by gravity through a gap G between the conveyors ll, 13 while the magnetic material M1 and the minor amount of the nonmagnetic material M2 is conveyed across the gap G by magnetic separating means 20.

The magnetic separating means includes a perma nent or electromagnet 21 suitably supported within the framework F of the apparatus 10, in the manner clearly apparent from FIG. 2. A lower surface (FIG. 2) of the magnet 21 lies in a generally horizontal plane and a lower flight 22 of a conveyor 23 moves thereacross from left-to-right, as viewed in FIG. I. The conveyor belt 23 is entrained about a plurality of suitably con ventionally journalled pulleys 24 through 27, the latter of which is driven counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. I, by gearing from an electric motor 28. Preferably, though not necessarily, the conveyor 23 includes a plurality of cleats or pushers which assure that the magnetic material M1 and the minor amount of nonmagnetic material M2 attracted to the flight 22 will be moved thereby and subsequently deposited upon the entrance end portion 15 of the conveyor 13. As an alternate construction the conveyor belt 23 may simply be a pair of spaced chains spanned by the pushers 30 whereupon the magnetic material MI attracted from the material M will impinge against the lower surface of the magnet 21 and will be pushed therefrom by the pushers 30, along with any minor amounts of the mate rial M2, and thus will likewise be deposited upon the end portion I5 of the second conveyor 13.

The second conveyor 13 is generally of a trough-like configuration (FIG. 3) and the upper flight I4 is supported in the configuration best illustrated in FIG. 3 by a plurality of support rollers 31 suitably journaled for rotation in the machine frame F. A pair of skirts 32 constructed of flexible material are likewise conventionally secured to the frame F and with the upper flight 14 define a generally U-shaped configuration defining a trough T in which the material MI is conveyed from the entrance end portion 15 to an exit end portion 33 of the conveyor 13. The conveyor 13 is entrained about a conventionally journaled pulley 34 and another pulley 35 (FIG. 1), the latter of which is rotated in a clockwise direction by an electric motor 34 and an appropriate conventional pulley and drive belt arrangement.

Means generally designated by the reference numerals 40 and 50 are provided for removing the minor amount of magnetic material M2 from the material M1, M2 on the flight 14 of the conveyor 13 as the latter moves from left-to-right or in a direction D1 of FIG. I. The means 40 includes a nozzle 41 having a generally rectangular orifice 42 (FIG. 3) which is positioned above the upper flight 14 of the conveyor 13 and the material M1, M2 thereupon. A conventional fan (not shown) ofa blower 49 is rotated or driven from an electric motor 43 through suitable conventional pulleys and a drive belt (unnumbered) with the air being conducted to the nozzle 41 by an appropriate flexible conduit 44 suspendingly supported from the frame F in a conventional manner. Preferably the nozzle 41 may be adjustably supported from the frame F to increase or decrease the height thereof, as well as the angulation relative to the horizontal, to achieve a desired flow path of the air as it is emitted from the orifice 43, it being noted that the reference character A indicates generally the flow path of the air when the nozzle 41 is in the position shown in FIG. 1. It is also to be noted that the skirts 32, 32 in addition to precluding the materials M 1, M2 from falling off the sides of the upper flight 14 of the conveyor 13 also serve as a guide for the air path A and confines the same generally between the skirts 32, 32. The purpose of the blast of air A is to blow the minor amounts of the material M2 from the materials M1 and M2 deposited at the entrance end portion 15 into the gap G thereby commingling with the materials M2 dropped directly from the conveyor 11 into the gap whereupon only the magnetic material Ml departs the end portion 33 of the conveyor 13. Essentially, the ma terial M is shredded municipal refuse which may, for example, include pieces of iron, ferromagnetic alloys, nickel, cloth, paper, string, etc. Though the magnetic separator 20 will remove substantially all magnetic material Ml from the material M there is a tendency for cloth, paper. string, or other pieces of non-magnetic material to cling to the separated material and thus be deposited upon the end portion I5 of the conveyor l3. However, due to the air blast A minor amounts of the material M2 will be blown into the gap G in one of two ways or impinged against a surface 51 of the removing means 50. The air path or air stream A may be viewed as being composed of a plurality of different streams which for purposes of description have been broken down into simply three streams Al, A2, and A3.

The stream Al indicates that portion of the overall air stream A lying closest to the material upon the upper flight l4 and that which tends to move along toward and through a throat or opening 45 between the end portion 15 of the conveyor 13 and the roll 51. Thus any of the lighter material M2 contacted by the stream of air Al will follow this same path and will be directed into the gap G preferably though not necessarily with the assistance of a baffle 46 spanning the width of the conveyor.

The stream of air A3 indicates that portion of the over-all air stream A which tends to,be deflected upwardly by the material upon the upper run 14, the roll 51 itself, and the particular position of the nozzle 41 relative to the horizontal. The stream A3 therefore will blow material M2 into the gap G during such time as it is being carried along with the material Ml from a point X along a path P until it passes the periphery of the roll 51. Thus while travelling along the path P between the time the materials M1, M2 leave the flight 22 of the conveyor 23 and the time the material M1, M2 reaches the conveyor 13 a portion of the latter will be blown by the air stream A3 into the gap G.

The air stream A2 designates a midportion of the main stream A which will blow the material M2 against a periphery or surface 52 of the roll 50 and cause the same to impinge thereagainst. The roll 51 is rotated counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 by an electric motor and a suitable pulley and drive belt arrangement. Thus cloth, string, and other non-metallic or nonmag netic material impinged against the surface 52 will rotate therewith counter-clockwise and upon approaching the gap G the same will drop therefrom by gravity or may be wiped therefrom by the upper portion (unnumbered) of the baffle 46 which can be positioned in close intimate relationship to the surface 52. Preferably the surface 52 may be cloth or the roll 51 may be simply a bristle brush thus having a great affinity for such loose material to adhere thereto.

Since the metallic material Ml leaving the end portion 33 of the conveyor 13 has a high angle of repose and, therefore, does not spread easily a discharge chute 60 is mounted for rotation in a conventional manner adjacent the end portion 33 of the conveyor 13. The chute 60 is of a generally U-shaped configuration in cross section gradually decreasing in size toward a discharge end 6] thereof. Thus as material follows the path Pl upon the rotation of the chute 60 in a conventional manner a Path P2 of a generally circular shape is circumscribed thus more evenly distributing the magnetic material M] in a storage area, bin, trailer or the like. Thus the apparatus 10 separates the heteroge neous mass of refuse M into homogeneous magnetic material M1 and homogeneous nonmagnetic material M2.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a portion of a machine 10' is illustrated which is substantially similar to the machine 10 and those elements identical thereto bear like reference characters although primed. The machinelt) differs from the machine 10 in the particular configuration of the conveyor belt 23' of the separator 20'. Instead of being entrained about pulleys which impart a generally polygonal configuration to the conveyor belt, as illustrated in cross section in FIG. I, the conveyor belt 23' is entrained about the pulley 27 which is the drive pulley and two idle pulleys 63, 64 positioned to impart generally a triangular configuration to the conveyor belt 23', as viewed in cross section, Thus the material M is first attracted to the surface of the conveyor belt 23' at a flight 65 which moves downwardly and away from the conveyor 1 l rounds the roller 64 and thereafter continues along a generally horizontal flight 66 for subsequent deposit upon the conveyor 13'. In addition, attached to the frame F are a plurality of permanent magnets 67, 68 and 69 having alternate poles adjacent each other. This configuration of the conveyor 23 and particularly the angulation between the flights 65, 66 results in the efficient separation of the materials M1, M2 and a lesser carry-over of the minor amounts of the materials M2 upon the conveyor 13'.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings the apparatus 10" likewise is similar to the apparatuses l0 and 10' and thus like elements have been similarly identified except for the double priming thereof. In this embodiment the magnetic separator 20" is a drum 70 appropriately mounted for rotation in the frame F" and driven by conventional means (not shown) for rotation in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5. A permanent magnet core 71 is conventionally supported in stationary or fixed relationship to the frame F" with the drum 70 simply rotating thereabout. Thus, the material M1 is attracted to the rotating drum 70 and is conveyed along a generally arcuate path prior to being moved out of the influence of the magnet 71 and deposited upon the conveyor 13".

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, another machine 10" is once again identical to the machines l0, l0 and 10" except for details of the magnetic separator 20" and thus like elements have been triple primed. In keeping with the construction of the separator 20" a belt 75 thereof is entrained about a pair of pulleys 76, 77 journalled appropriately in the frame F' with the latter pulley 77 being rotated clockwise through a suitable drive mechanism (not shown). Thus the pulley 76 is likewise rotated in the same clockwise direction. The

pulley 76 is further constructed as a permanent magnet or may constitute a permanent magnet secured internally of a conventional pulley. Thus in either event the magnetic core or magnetic pulley 76 is rotated clockwise and thus material Ml and minor amounts of the material M2 attracted thereto is carried clockwise by the conveyor 75 over an upper flight 78 prior to discharge upon the conveyor 13".

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for separating magnetically attractive and magnetically nonattractive materials comprising first means for conveying said materials along a first path, second means excluding magnetic means contiguous said first conveying means for conveying said materials along a second predetermined path generally inline with said first path, said first and second conveying means move said materials along said respective first and second paths in the generally same direction, magnetic means between said first and second conveying means for removing said magnetically attractive material along with minor amounts of said magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means and depositing the same upon said second conveying means, and second means for removing said minor amounts from said second conveying means.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second conveying means are in spaced relationship to each other defining therebetween a gap into which is deposited said magnetically nonattractive ma terial except for said minor amounts.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said second removing means includesa source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said gap whereby the last-mentioned material is blown from said second conveying means into said gap.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first removing means includes third means for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means across said gap to said second conveying means.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end por tions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means and into said gap.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 including conveying means in said gap for receiving thereupon said magnetically nonattractive material and conveying the same therefrom.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is defined by a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned conveyor includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said magnetically nonattractive material.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second removing means includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material whereby the latter is blown from said second conveying means.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first removing means includes third means for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means to said second conveying means.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first removing means includes means for magnetically attracting said magnetically attractive material.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said attracting means is a magnet and said first removing means further includes third means partially entraining said magnet for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means to said second conveying means.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is defined by a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means. and said second removing means further includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive ma' terial is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means, and said second removing means further includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said entmace end portion directing means whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means upon said entrance end portion directing means and directed by the latter from said second conveying means.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means. and said second removing means fur ther includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said entrance end portion directing means whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means upon said entrance end portion directing means and directed by the latter from said second conveying means and said entrance end portion directing means is spaced above said entrance end portion whereby a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is blown under said entrance end portion directing means and from said second conveying means,

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means, and said conveyor includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means and said directing means includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said last-mentioned portion of material.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said minor amounts of nonattractable material, and means for rotating said surface means opposite to the direction of travel of said first conveying means.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is an electromagnetic.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a roll permanent magnetic.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a flat permanent magnetic.

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is an electromagnetic and a roll permanent magnetic.

30. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a roll permanent magnetic and a flat permanent magnetic.

31. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said magnetic means further includes an electromagnetic.

32. A method of separating relatively heavy and light material comprising the steps of performing a magnetic separation on the heavy and light material, depositing the magnetically separated heavy and light material upon a surface at a first position, moving the deposited material toward a second position in a first direction, directing air above and along the material in a second direction opposite the first direction whereby the light material will be blown in the second direction. collecting the light material thus blown, and thereafter further conveying the collected light material in the second direction. 

1. Apparatus for separating magnetically attractive and magnetically nonattractive materials comprising first means for conveying said materials along a first path, second means excluding magnetic means contiguous said first conveying means for conveying said materials along a second predetermined path generally inline with said first path, said first and second conveying means move said materials along said respective first and second paths in the generally same direction, magnetic means between said first and second conveying means for removing said magnetically attractive material along with minor amounts of said magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means and depositing the same upon said second conveying means, and second means for removing said minor amounts from said second conveying means.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second conveying means are in spaced relationship to each other defining therebetween a gap into which is deposited said magnetically nonattractive material except for said minor amounts.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said second removing means includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said gap whereby the last-mentioned material is blown from said second conveying means into said gap.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first removing means includes third means for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means across said gap to said second conveying means.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means and into said gap.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 including conveying means in said gap for receiving thereupon said magnetically nonattractive material and conveying the same therefrom.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said directing means is defined by a source of moving air directed against said minor Amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned conveyor includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said magnetically nonattractive material.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second removing means includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material whereby the latter is blown from said second conveying means.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first removing means includes third means for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means to said second conveying means.
 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first removing means includes means for magnetically attracting said magnetically attractive material.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said attracting means is a magnet and said first removing means further includes third means partially entraining said magnet for conveying said magnetically attractive material and said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material from said first conveying means to said second conveying means.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said directing means is defined by a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.
 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means, and said second removing means further includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means, and said second removing means further includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said entrnace end portion directing means whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means upon said entrance end portion directing means and directed by the latter from said second conveying means.
 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said seconD conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means, and said second removing means further includes a source of moving air directed against said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material and toward said entrance end portion directing means whereby a portion thereof is blown from said second conveying means upon said entrance end portion directing means and directed by the latter from said second conveying means and said entrance end portion directing means is spaced above said entrance end portion whereby a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is blown under said entrance end portion directing means and from said second conveying means.
 22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means.
 23. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said directing means is a conveyor moving toward said first conveying means, and said conveyor includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material.
 24. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conveying means has entrance and exit end portions, said removed magnetically attractive material and minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material is deposited at said entrance end portion and thus is conveyed toward said exit end portion, and said second removing means includes means at said entrance end portion for directing a portion of said minor amounts of magnetically nonattractive material toward said first conveying means and said directing means includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said last-mentioned portion of material.
 25. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means includes surface means having an affinity for holding thereupon said minor amounts of nonattractable material, and means for rotating said surface means opposite to the direction of travel of said first conveying means.
 26. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is an electromagnetic.
 27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a roll permanent magnetic.
 28. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a flat permanent magnetic.
 29. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is an electromagnetic and a roll permanent magnetic.
 30. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means is a roll permanent magnetic and a flat permanent magnetic.
 31. The apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said magnetic means further includes an electromagnetic.
 32. A method of separating relatively heavy and light material comprising the steps of performing a magnetic separation on the heavy and light material, depositing the magnetically separated heavy and light material upon a surface at a first position, moving the deposited material toward a second position in a first direction, directing air above and along the material in a second direction opposite the first direction whereby the light material will be blown in the second direction, collecting the light material thus blown, and thereafter further conveying the collected light material in the second direction. 